Understanding the role of nutritional status on the outcomes of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Findings from a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background & Aims: Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is a common cause of hospitalization worldwide. Malnutrition, on the other hand, varies in prevalence and closely correlates with age and comorbidities. Though malnutrition is linked to poor outcomes generally, its impact on NVUGIB patients remains unexplored.

Methods: Using the National Readmission Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2020, we employed the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modifications (ICD-10-CM) codes to identify adult patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted with a principal diagnosis of NVUGIB. We further stratified NVUGIB hospitalizations based on the presence and severity of malnutrition. Utilizing a multivariate regression model, we assessed the impact of malnutrition on NVUGIB outcomes. STATA 14.2 was utilized for statistical analysis.

Results: Out of the 742,592 adult patients admitted with NVUGIB, 76,603 (10.32 %) had malnutrition, categorized as mild to moderate (3.01 %), severe (4.00 %), and malnutrition of unspecified severity (3.29 %). After adjusting for confounding variables, all-cause in-hospital mortality due to NVUGIB was significantly higher in malnourished patients, corresponding to the severity of malnutrition (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.83 & 3.52 in mild-moderate malnutrition and severe malnutrition respectively; P < 0.01). Similarly, malnutrition was associated with progressively higher odds of acute kidney injury (aOR 1.39 & 1.54 for mild-moderate and severe malnutrition, respectively), septic shock (aOR 2.41 & 5.12), hemorrhagic shock (aOR 1.71 & 2.16), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (aOR 2.00 & 2.97), all increasing with malnutrition severity (P < 0.01). Procedural analysis showed lower odds of diagnostic EGD (aOR 0.95 & 0.92), EGD within 24 h (aOR 0.75 & 0.67), and overall EGD (aOR 0.80 & 0.66) in malnourished patients, but higher odds of rebleeding requiring repeat EGD (aOR 1.12 & 1.19) and radioembolization (aOR 2.04 & 2.75), both rising with malnutrition severity (P < 0.01). Finally, resource utilization estimated by total hospitalization charges, length of stay, discharge to rehabilitation facilities (aOR 1.99 & 2.66), and 30-day readmission rates (aOR 1.29 & 1.38) were also significantly higher among patients with malnutrition (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Malnutrition exacerbates the outcomes of NVUGIB including higher in-hospital mortality rates, morbidity and resource utilization. Early identification and targeted management of malnutrition in NVUGIB patients are crucial to reducing adverse outcomes and optimizing healthcare resources.